Case positioner



May 29, 1962 R M. CAMPBELL, JR 3,036,414

CASE POSITIONER Filed May 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l A /I/,/ t

z: y/ D 0 Q m r (2 I M ,2 l

93 9 N INVENTOR.

R0 ERT M. CAMPBELL, JR.

ATTORNEY May 29, 1962 R M CAMPBELL, JR 3,036,414

CASE POSITIONER Filed May 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 llll/ N LU 0: D 0 0, .iw a:

Li) s INVENTOR.

ROBERT M. CAMPBELL,JR 131 44 ATTORNEY y 1962 R. M. CAMPBELL, JR 3,036,414

CASE POSITIONER Filed May 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I20 VOLTS ON-OFF sw.

INVENTOR BY/w,

49 ATTORNEY FIGUREIS ROBERT M. CAMPBELL, JR.

, May 29, 1962 R. M. CAMPBELL, JR 3,036,414

' CASE POSITIONER Filed May 18. 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 INVENTOR. ROBERT M. CAMPBE LL,JR

Bi {d 4 ATTORNEY May 29, 1962 R. M. CAMPBELL, JR

CASE POSITIONER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 18, 1959 m #591 R w wEGE z m m. v W

ROBERT M. CAMPBELL,JR. M

ATTORNEY l w H59.

3,036,414 CASE POSITIONER Robert M. Campbell, Jr., 4745 Estate Drive, Beaumont, Tex. Filed May 18, 1959, Ser. No. 813,987 8 Claims. (CI. 53-67) This invention relates to a new and unusual machine for automatic positioning empty cases for existing case packers used in placing either filled or empty cans in the empty cases or cartons. The case packercan be of any type but a double discharge type as described herein is preferred because of the increase in speed obtained with double operation.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a simple automatic machine by which empty fiber cases, which have previously been formed, the unsealed flaps are open, moved into position for filling, are filled with cans and discharged onto a conveyor. The operation is such that if for any reason one of the functions is not complete the machine will stop the preceding functions until the original function is completed.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of arrangement and construction, electrical functions, combination and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described in connection with accompanying drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an overall isometric view of the automatic case positioner embodying the invention and case packer to which the case positioner is attached.

FIG. 2 is an overall isometric view as shown in FIG- URE l but showing cases in their operating positions.

FIGURE 3 is an electrical diagram showing all electrical components and the circuits.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the case positioner and case packer, with part of the figure being shown broken away in order to illustrate flat opener details.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of the machine.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIGURE 4 showing details of the case loading carriage.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in FIGURE 4 showing metal hinged flaps on the can rack.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of the pusher dogs attached to the reciprocating pusher for advancing open cases or cartons.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of the valve used to control the speed of the lowering of the case loading carriage.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals denote like parts therein, the numeral 1 generally designates the plow used for opening the unsealed side flap Z-Z of the formed cases C as they are moved by side belts 2-2 from Position I to Position II as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The plow 1 is comprised of two twisted bars 3-3, the rear ends 4-4 of said bars 3-3 are anchored to the frame 5 superimposed over a curved slide plate 6 adjacent the end of the Conveyer J on which conveyor said cases move and are fed onto the slide plate 6. The front ends 7-7 of bars 3-3 are joined to form a wedge shaped member 8 which is positioned centrally of frame 5 so that when the side flaps Z--Z encounter said member 8 said side flaps Z-Z are opened outwardly at right angles to the side walls W-W of said case. After the side flaps Z-Z are opened the rear or back flap of the unsealed formed cases C are opened upon encountering member 8 or upon encounterassent Patented May 29, 1962 ing a horizontal bar 9 which is centrally positioned intermediately between the end of conveyor J and slide plate 6, which bar 9 is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said case, thereby folding the back flap Y at right angles to the rear end of the case C. In FIG. 2, side flaps Z-Z and rear flap Y are shown opened for identification of said flaps, however, said flaps may be unsealed but in closed position as said cases enter at Position I into the case positioner from the conveyor J. The above mentioned flaps, side and rear, may be opened outwardly and perpendicular to the side of cases by any suitable means prior to said cases entering said case positioner such as by means of a plow or the like. There are two continuous belts 2-2 positioned parallel with each other and spaced apart substantially the width of said cases C and said belts 2-2 are mounted edgewise around two sets of drums 10-10 and 11-11 and form a channel between said belts 2-2 through which the cases C pass in moving from Position I to Position II.

As the cases C move from the conveyor I from Position I to Position II said cases upon contact with the belts 2-2, the forward edge of the sides W-W of said cases C are drawn by the belts 2-2 onto the slide plate 6 to Position II of FIG. 2, having completely passed through the parallel belts 2-2. The drums 11-11 are positioned forward of drums 10-10 around which said belts 2-2 revolve. The drums 11-11 are the drive drums which impart movement to revolve the belts 2-2, and the drums 10-10 are idling drums and revolve upon movement of the belts. Both sets of drums 10-10 and 11-11 are mounted on vertical shafts. Idling drums 10-10 are mounted on vertical shafts 12-12 and drive drums 11-11 are mounted on vertical shafts 13-13, in conventional manner, and mounted on said shafts 13-13 is a cooperating left hand worm gear 14 and right hand worm gear 15, with gear 14 arranged to be rotated clockwise by driving worm gear 16, and, the gear 15 arranged to be rotated counterclockwise by means of a driving worm gear 17 cooperating with said left hand and right hand worm gears in a conventional manner to impart rotation to the driving drums 11-11 which are thereby rotated inwardly toward each other, which imparts movement to the belts 2-2 and causes said belts to rotate inwardly at the idling drums in order to grasp the incoming cases and draw and move said cases between said belts and force said cases to Position 11 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. A motor 18 either air or electric, preferably an air motor is mounted to drive said worm gears 16 and 17.

FIG. 3 shows by way of illustration all of the electrical circuits and the components parts used in connection therewith in the operation of the machine. For the purpose of defining the electrical circuits used in connection with the operation of the machine, numbered arrows paralleling the wires are used to denote the path of the electrical current in a given circuit and said numbered arrows is the designation for that particular circuit which energize certain named and numbered electrical devices that are used in the operation of the machine. It is understood that hereafter numbered arrows referred to in this description and shown in the drawings will denote that particular circuit to which said arrows relate. The source of the electrical current passes through a single toggle switch 19 of conventional design to which is connected positive wire 20 at positive pole 21 of said switch 19 and is used for the purpose of turning the electrical current on and off to supply the electrical energy to operate the machine.

When there is no case in Position II, the normally closed side of the two single pole double throw switches 22 and 23 energize solenoid valve 24 which controls the air motor 18 to drive side belts 2-2. The circuit designated by arrows 25 through which the current flows by means of positive wire 20 connected to neutral terminal 26 in switch 22 actuates air motor solenoid valve 24 through negative wire 27 connected to terminal 28 on the solenoid valve 24. As the case is fed into Position II as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings said case strikes either switch 22 ,or switch 23 or both, said switches which are in .the path ofthe incoming cases from Position I to Position II, and, upon contact of said incoming cases with said switches 22 and 23 it will break circuit designated by arrows 25 closing solenoid valve 24 to stop the air motor .18 stopping the case in Position II as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The normally opened side of switches 22 and 23 control a reciprocating pusher 29 actuated by air cylinder 30 in connection with two double pole double throw photo electric eye switches 31 and 32 and two single pole single throw normally open switches 33 and 34 of like conventional design. The electric eyes 31 and 32 are used to determine if there is a case in Position HI as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The switches 33 and 34 are used for the purpose to break the circuit which operates air cylinder 30 and determine which side of the machine the next incoming case is to be directed, that is, side A or side B as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and of drawings, since the operation of the machine is to alternately direct cases to side A and side B from Position 11 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The switches 33 and 34 are actuated when the opposite positions of the air cylinder 30 are reached, that is, when the air cylinder 30 strokes toward side A to direct a case to side A said switch 33 has been actuated in order that the air cylinder 30 is prepared for the return stroke toward side B to direct a case to side B, or the reverse thereof switch 34 has been actuated in order that the air cylinder 30 is prepared for the return stroke toward side A to direct a case to side A. For example, if there is a case in Position II and no case in Position III on side B and switch 33 is closed preparatory for stroke of pusher 29 toward side B, circuit designated by arrows 35 is completed, actuating double solenoid valve 36 which operates air cylinder 30 causing pusher 29 to stroke and push case from Position II to Position HI on side B. Further, for example, if there is a case in Position II and no case in Position III on side A and switch 34 is closed preparatory for stroke of pusher 29 toward side A, circuit designated by arrows 37 is completed, actuating double solenoid valve 36 which operates air cylinder 30 causing pusher 29 to stroke and push case from Position II to Position III on side A. And, during the same alternate intervals of time the front flap X of each entering case C in Position II is permitted to drop down through slot 38 in forward end of plate 6 and allow flap X to extend toward a vertical position and be free to be opened to a position perpendicular to the front end F of the case C, so that the case when pushed from Position II toward Position III on either side A or side B, the front flap X thereof will contact helically shaped bars 3939 to progressively open the front flap X to said perpendicular position and remain in said perpendicular position as the case is allowed to fall free over the curved portions 40-40 extending from the fiat topr41 thereof to the vertical sides 4242 of the plate 6 and thence fall to Position III alternately on sides A and B and be guided by rods 43 (4 in .number shown) which parallel the said plate 6 on each side thereof and which are spaced apart therefrom a sufiicient distance to guide the case C to Position III alternately to side A and side B.

The switches 22 and 23 are wired in a manner so that of identical character are used for side B in alternate sequence with the operation of said mechanisms used in operating side A, and it is further understood that the numbers used to denote the parts of the mechanisms for side A are also to be considered as numbered parts of the same or similar character for side B. If there is no case C in Position IV as shown in FIG.'2 of the drawings, as a case falls or drops into Position III the normally opened side of double pole double throw photo electric eye switch 31 will be closed and the single pole single throw switch 44 is arranged to be opened due to the fact that no case is in Position IV which in turn causes normally closed double pole double throw relay switch 45 of conventional design to remain closed. A single pole single throw switch 46 of conventional design is used to detect if hinged case loading carriage 47 is in its upper position prepara- V tory to receiving empty case C on side A for example,

both switches 22 and 23 must be cleared when a case is pushed from Position II towards Position III, that is, the case being moved from Position II must have vacated Position IIprior to allowing air motor 18 which then is energized through electrical circuit 25 bringing the next succeeding case into Position II. Hereafter only the operation of the mechanisms onside A are explained, however, it is to be understood that similar mechanisms thereby closing switch 46 when carriage 47 is in its upper position as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. With the switches mentioned above in this paragraph in their respective positions mentioned, the circuit as shown by arrows 48 in FIG. 3 of the drawings will be completed which will actuate a double solenoid valve 49 which will cause air cylinder 50 to stroke forward, carrying a reciprocating member 51 forward together with attached pivoted pusher dogs 52 (three in number) to advance the case from Position III toward Position IV in two intermediate positions before reaching Position IV, as space is provided for two cases between Position III and Position IV as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Until the first case advances to Position IV the above sequence will be repeated as successive cases fall into Position III. As the extreme end of the stroke of reciprocating member Slit encounters asingle pole single throw switch 53 which completes circuit indicated by arrows 54 which reverses double solenoid valve 49 causing air cylinder 50 to make its return stroke preparatory to a repetition of the above sequence of its operation. On the return stroke of said reciprocating member 51 the upper and forward position of said dogs '52 are pivotally forced downwardly to a horizontal position to allow the dogs to pass under the case rearward of each dog preparatory to engaging said case on the next forward stroke of the reciprocating memher. As a case is pushed by dogs 52 into Position IV the upper part of the case strikes switch 44 which energizes double pole double throw relay switch 45 breaking the normally closed side of this switch 45, which also breaks the circuit indicated by arrows 48 in FIG. 3, thereby stopping the advancement of cases from Position 111 until the case in Position IV has been removed by the lowering operation of carriage 47.

When a case is moved into Position IV and strikes switch 44 which energizes double pole double throw relay switch 45 which closes the normally opened side of said relay switch 45, which with switch 55 and time delay switch 56 controls case packer 13 kick-out device used in connection herewith which will be more fully described hereafter. Switch 55 is so located and its openation is such that when cans have accumulated in the chute lanes of the loader device to the location of switch 55 and one of said cans behind the forward full load of cans in position for loading into a case on carriage 47 comes to a stop over said switch 55, a lever arm 57 is depressed thereby actuating said switch 55 which closes the norm-ally opened side of said switch 55 causing the time delay relay switch 56 to be energized after a fractional second time delay and thereby closes normally opened side of said time delay relay switch 56. A can rolling across and depressing lever arm 57 does not actuate time delay switch 56 as this switch is only actuated when a can comes to a complete stop holding lever arm 57 depressed as above mentioned. This operation in connection with the operation of relay switch 45 above mentioned, and, the operation of the normally closed side of another single pole double throw switch 58 completes the circuit indicated by arrows 59 thereby closing the normally opened side of another relay switch 60. The normally closed side of switch 58 is used in order to break the circuit 59 as a full load of cans is discharged to the opposite side of the packer 73 actuated by flap 72 striking switch 58 as a full load of cans is discharged into case C thereby allowing an interval of time for a full load of cans to enter and roll into position 75 prior to being moved into can rack 67 and thereby preventing the pusher bar 62 from stroking until a full load of cans have rolled into position 75. Single pole single throw switches 61-61 are normally in opened position and located at the extremities of the can pusher bars 62 in the loader device and said switches 61-61 are actuated when the opposite positions of the said pusher bars 62 have been reached, that is, when the pusher bars 62 have stroked toward side A to direct a full load of cans into a case in Position IV on carriage 47 on side A said switch 61 located on side A is actuated in order that the pusher bars 62 are prepared for a return stroke toward side B to direct a full load of cans into a case in Position IV on side B, or the reverse thereof takes place at the end of the stroke of pusher bars 62 at the side B actuating the other switch 61 on side B preparatory-for the return stroke of said pusher bars 62 toward side A. When relay switch 60 on side A has been closed in the manner above described a circuit indicated by arrows 63 is energized in connection with one of said switches 61 which has been engaged by pusher bars 62 preparatory for stroke toward side A. The said circuit as indicated by arrows 63 actuates solenoid clutch 64 which then engages electric motor 65 to operate pusher bars 62 which directs a full load of cans into a case in Position IV on side A, or the reverse operation for loading a full load of cans into a case in Position IV on side B. On the front side edges 66 and 67 and top edge 68 of side A of the can rack 69 are attached hinged metal spring loaded flaps 70, 71 and 72 respectively to said edges of said can rack 69. The top flap 72 attached to edge 68 serves to guide the front flap X of case C across the face of the cans in place in the can rack 69 as the case C is moved into Position IV. The side flaps 70 and 71 serve to center the case C which is in Position IV as the cans are kicked out of the packer 73 by the alternating pusher bars 62. To hinged metal flap 71 an arm 74 is attached and is positioned so as to strike single pole double throw switch 58 during the time cans are being pushed and discharged into case C while in Position IV as this switch 58 closes during the time mentioned completing circuit 76 which energizes a one second time delay switch 77 which one second time delay allows the cans to be discharged into the case C in Position IV before the case loading carriage 47 starts to be lowered. When the time delay relay switch 77 closes this completes the circuit as shown by arrows 78 in connection with normally closed side of single pole double throw switch 79 which operates four-way solenoid valve 80 which actuates air cylinder 81 causing the loading carriage 47 to be lowered to its down position thereby placing the loaded case in an upright position on conveyor K on side A in Position V as shown in FIGURE 2. T 0 control the speed with which loading carriage 47 is lowered a cam plate 82 is attached to the front edge of loading carriage 47 in a position so as to strike air valve 83 during the lowering operation which air valve 83: is attached to the exhaust end of air cylinder 81. In the closed position this air valve 83 has a restricted sized hole drilled through its seat 84 so as to restrict the flow of air from said cylinder 81 as the loading carriage 47 begins its lowering operation so that the initial lowering of the carriage 47 moves at a slow rate of speed, until the loaded case has been lowered to the point where the weight of the cans has been shifted and fully seated in the case so that the cans will not drop out of said case since the case loaded with the cans follows an arcuate path in its downward lowering cycle and at which time the cam plate 82 opens air valve 83 to allow full air flow through said valve 83 thereby increasing the speed of the descent of said carriage 47 with loaded case of cans to the conveyor K. The case C on side A then moves on conveyor K until it strikes single pole double throw switch 79 which completes circuit indicated by arrows 85 reversing the action of solenoid valve 81 which in turn reverses the operation of air cylinder 81 causing loading carriage 47 to rise and return to its original position ready to receive the next empty case to be moved forward into Position IV thereon. The operation described as taking place on side A is alternately carried out on side B and it is to be understood that like numbered parts and elements are used and operate for side B as those designated and described for side A and are so designated in the drawings.

When a full load of cans are in position in the case rack 67 preparatory to being loaded in a case on carriage 47 in order to hold said full load of cans in firm position so as to prevent said load of cans from getting out of alignment a pair of shaped rubber faced snubber blocks 86 are positioned above said full load of cans and attached to support bars 87 and operated by adjustable bar 88 which bears on snubber blocks 86 to apply adjustable pressure on the top row of said full load of cans to firmly hold all of said full load of cans in alignment and prevent over travel of incoming cans to the can rack 67 as full load of cans are discharged into a case in Position IV on the loading carriage 47. It has been found to be necessary to maintain the full load of cans in controlled alignment in order to prevent malfunction of cans during the loading into the case and during the lowering of the full loaded case of cans on loading carriage 47, as well as, prevent the front faces of cans in case rack 67 from interfering with front flap X of case C when case C is moving into Position IV past the front faces of said full load of cans in place in the case rack 67 It is to be understood that a case packer of conventional design is employed and to which the present invention is attached. The case packer described herein operates in a manner whereby the cans roll down chutes 89 as determined by the number of rows of cans required for filling a given sized case, and the case packer illustrated in the drawings shows three rows of cans which cans enter the chutes 89 (three in number) which are positioned one over the other in vertical alignment with respect to each other. The particular case packer illustrated is constructed so that two horizontal layers of cans is fed into position to form a full load of cans to be moved into can rack 67 so that the full case of cans in position in said case rack 67 will be discharged into case C which has been moved into Position IV by operation of the case positioner here in described in the present invention.

The reciprocating pusher 29 which is operated by air cylinder 30 is constructed of sheet metal to form a box. The slides 9(i90 of pusher 29 engage the cases or cartons as the pusher 29 is operated. The top of pusher 29 is attached to the bottom side of a carriage bar 91 which has wheels 92 mounted on each side and a clip 93 on the top side to which is attached the piston rod 94 of air cylinder 30. The wheels 92 move along on frame angle iron members 95.

The reciprocating members 51 are constructed of channel steel. Three pusher dogs 52 as shown in FIG. 8 are mounted in slotted openings 96 in member 51 and are attached by means of bearing pins 97 which allow pusher dogs 52 to pivot to an up anddown position. The weight of pusher dogs 52 is so distributed so that the normal position is for the dogs 52 to be in an up position. As the reciprocating member 51 is returned the pusher dogs 52 slide under the case which was behind it and when it has cleared the case preparatory to pushing the case forward.

The loading carriage 47 shown in detail in FIG. 6 consists of the main plate 98, fingers 99 and binge clips 1%. The main plate 98 is a flat piece of plate approximately the length of a case. The outside edge 101 has cut-out sections 102 which are of a size and spacing so that that edge maybe lowered down between rollers of roller conveyor K. The fingers 99 are attached 'to the projections along edge 101 and are a width so that in the down position of carriage 47 they are below thhe top of the rollers of conveyor K thereby allowing the bottom of the lowered cases to contact the roller and be moved away. The hinge clips 100 are attached to the inside edge 103 of the main plate 98 and are attached to hinge bar 104 which attaches to frame at 105. This hinge arrangement allows the cases to be lowered in an arcuate path. The piston rod 109 of air cylinder 81 is connected to carriage 47 by means of clips 106 attached to under side of main plate 98 and connecting pin 107. The stationary end of the reciprocating air cylinder 81 has a pivot .mounting 108 attached to frame 5 so that as the cylinder 81 is operated it is free to move in an arc path.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. .In a case positioner, a frame, a conveyor attached to said frame for feeding formed cases with unsealed closed flaps down, continuous feed belts mounted on said frame in spaced parallel relation to each other to form a channel therebetween and positioned with respect to said conveyor to engage the opposite sides of the cases to contime the advancement of the cases as they leave said conveyor, means to start and to stop the movement of said belts to advance the cases as they enter the channel between said belts, a wedge shaped plow positioned below said channel and directed toward the incoming cases to open the side flaps and the rear flap of each case outwardly and perpendicular to the sides of each of said cases as said cases are moved by said belts over said plow, a slide on said frame, conveyors on each side of said slide to alternately receive cases from said slide.

2. In a case positioner, a frame, a slide plate mounted on said frame and having a slot in the forward edge thereof to allow the unsealed front flap of a formed case which is moved along said slide with flaps down to fall free therethrough downwardly into an extended position, a reciprocating pusher to alternately push cases having their front flap in said slot sideward to alternate sides of said frame, shaped bars adjacent to said slot and formed and positioned to open said front flap outwardly and perpendicular to the front end of each case as each case is pushed to said alternate sides.

3. In a case positioner, a frame, a slide plate mounted on said frame and having a slot in the forward edge thereof to allow the unsealed front flap of a formed case which is moved along said slide with flaps down to fall free therethroug'h downwardly into an extended position, a reciprocating pusher to alternately push cases having their front flap in said slot sideward to alternate sides of said frame, shaped bars adjacent to said slot and formed and positioned to open said front flap outwardly and perpendicular to the front end of each case as each case is pushed to said alternate sides, guide bars spaced apart from said slide plate to form guide ways on either side of said slide plate to guide the pushed cases to said alternate sides, said slide plate having a surface to maintain opened flaps of each of said cases in fully opened position during their travel to said alternate sides.

4. tin a case positioner, a frame, a curved slide plate mounted on said frame and having a slot in the forward edge thereof to allow the unsealed front flap of a formed case which is moved along said slide with flaps down to fall free therethrough downwardly into an extended position, a reciprocating pusher to alternately push cases having their front flap in said slotsideward to alternate sides of said frame, shaped bars adjacent to said slot and formed and positioned to open said front flap outwardly and perpendicular to the front end of each case as each case is pushed to said alternate sides, bars spaced apart from said slide plate to, form guide ways on either side of said slide plate, to guide the pushed cases to said alternate sides.

5. In a case positioner, a frame, a curved slide plate mounted on said frame and having a slot in the forward edge thereof to allow the unsealed front flap of a'formed case which is moved along said slide with flaps down to fall free therethrough downwardly into an extended position, a reciprocating pusher to alternately push cases having their front flaps in said slot sideward to alternate sides of said frame, shaped bars adjacent to said slot and formed and positioned to open said front flap outwardly and perpendicular to the front end of each case as each case is pushed to said alternate sides, curved guide bars spaced apart from said curved slide plate to form guide ways on either side of said curved slide plate to guide the pushed cases to said alternate sides, said curved slide plate having a surface to maintain opened flaps of each of said cases in fully opened position during their travel to said alternate sides, said guide ways formed by said curved slide plate and said curved guide bars provides means to change the position to convey the cases with flaps opened from bottom opened position to side opened position.

6. In a case .positioner, a frame, a conveyor attached thereto for feeding formed cases with unsealed closed flaps down, continuous feed belts mounted on said frame in spaced parallel relation to each other to form a channel therebetween and positioned with respect to said conveyor to engage the opposite sides of the cases to continue the advancement of the cases as they leave said conveyor, means to Start and to stop the movement of said belts to advance the cases as they enter the channel'between said belts, two switches connected in series to control said means to start and stop the movements of said belts and responsive to the absence of a case in the case positioner to actuate said means to start and stop said belts to move a case into the case positioner and responsive to the placing of a case in the case positioner to actuate said means to start and stop said belts to stop said belts, a slide centrally of said frame, conveyors on each side of said slide to alternately receive cases from said slide in side down position.

7. In a case positioner, a frame, a conveyor attached thereto for feeding formed cases with unsealed closed flaps down, continuous feed belts mounted on said frame in spaced parallel relation to each other to form a channel therebetween and positioned with respect to said conveyor to engage the opposite sides of the cases to continue the advancement of the cases as they leave said conveyor, means to start and to stop the movement of said belts to advance the cases as they enter the channel between said belts, two switches connected in series to control said means to start and stop the movement of said belts and responsive to the absence of a case in the case positioner to actuate said means to start and stop said belts to move a case into the case positioner and responsive to the placing of a case in the case positioner to actuate said means to startand stop said belts to stop said belts, a slide centrally of said frame, conveyors on each side of said slide to alternately receive cases from said slide in side down position, said switches arranged and operated so that each center forward case on said slide must be completely cleared in its sideward movement to its respective side of said frame by means of a reciprocating pusher bar attached to said frame before starting movement of said belts to move the next following case into center forward position on said slide. i a

8. In a'case positioner, a frame, a slide centrally located on said frame, a conveyor on each side'of said frame to receive cases from said slide, a carriage cooperating with each conveyor, a reciprocating pusher to alternately push cases from rearward position on said conveyors toward said carriages, two switches connected in series which are closed when a case is in forward central position on said slide, two electric eye switches for determining if no case is in position on either of said conveyors, a

reciprocating pusher bar, another pair of switches utilized to determine which side of said slide the next forward case centrally positioned on said slide is to be directed by successive alternating strokes of said pusher bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,976,128 Hurst Oct. 9, 1934 10 Malhiot Apr. 18, 1944 Ferguson et a1. Aug. 11, 1953 Gentry June 26, 1956 Bruce Sept. 4, 1956 Begent Apr. 16, 1957 Hendricks et al Jan. 14, 1958 Earls et al. Apr. 22, 1958 Kross Feb. 17, 1959 

